Minister of Agriculture Senator Haynesley Benn, wants the General Assembly of the United Nations to designate the Caribbean Sea as a special area within the context of sustainable development.Benn, speaking at the opening of the International Ocean Institute’s Training Module: Law of the Sea and Principled Ocean Governance at the UWI Shell Suite, said such designation recognised that the Caribbean Sea was difficult to manage as a single large marine ecosystem, mainly because it was impacted by many diverse stakeholders from within and outside the region.“It is my fervent hope that the UN will take swift and decisive action on this matter. The Caribbean needs and deserves this recognition,” he told stakeholders in the industry from around the region.The minister, in stating reasons why he believed the Caribbean deserved the status, said that it comprised 45 states, several ethnic groups and had the highest number of maritime boundaries of any large marine ecosystem in the world.He noted, too, the Caribbean was one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, home to some 63 000 annual ship calls, which carried an estimated 82 000 tonnes of garbage.“Land-based sources of pollution, intensified tourism development and large oil shipments also have negative environmental impacts and risks,” the minister said.Touching on some of the obligations undertaken by Barbados and other CARICOM states, Benn said that sometimes implementation had been hampered, since servicing those agreements placed significant burdens on the countries in terms of technical, financial and human resource requirements. (CT)
Court clerks not helping situation
Dear Christine, I hope that you are fine as this letter leaves me. I am a bit annoyed at some of the clerks at the Courts.
Some of them give out information to persons who are pretending to be the person collecting money from court. There is a gentlemen who pays money for a child who is 18 years of age and is still at school. The child’s stepmother calls up to the court and pretends to be her mother and asks if the money is there.
When she gets the answer, she sends the child to go collect the money and when she gets home, the stepmother calls the mother all sorts of names.
Christine, these things aren’t right. When the stepmother collects the money, she buys nails and weave for her hair. When she does this it is very difficult on the mother. What can the mother do to stop this? – Please give advice.
DEAR PLEASE GIVE ADVICE,
Court clerks should not be giving out that type of information on the phone, although I believe that in doing so they try to help so that mothers don’t waste their time going down to the court if money is not there.
However, if this is a grave problem for the mother, then you can make an official complaint to the Registrar, Ms Marva Clarke. – CHRISTINE
Poor living conditions
Dear Christine, Please can you help us by sending someone to prove what I am writing to you is the truth. I am renting a room at a house.
When I first saw an ad in the paper for the room, I said that it sounded like a nice place to live. The landlord told me to pass by and bring $300 for two weeks rent.
She never told me that I have to pay for light, water or gas when the bills come in. This place has eight rooms (four upstairs and four downstairs). There is only one bath and toilet for the 17 people living in the entire house and it has to be cleaned every three days to avoid it becoming overly dirty.
There are also a lot of rats and African Snails around the place. We need help as we don’t have anywhere else to go for now. -Please send help for us.
DEAR PLEASE SEND HELP FOR US: I will try to see what can be done. I can try to arrange for a social worker to come around or someone else who can see first hand the conditions.
In the meantime, continue looking for somewhere else and I will too. I am sure there are better places for similar rent. CHRISTINE.
Misgivings on today’s EPA meeting
THERE ARE some strong misgivings among senior government officials and regional thinkers of the Caribbean Community over an inaugural meeting scheduled for today in Madrid, Spain of the Joint Council on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in 2008 between the European Union (EU) and the CARIFORUM states (CARICOM plus Dominican Republic).As first reported in the Weekend Nation over a week ago, this inaugural meeting, initiated by the European Commission (executive arm of the EU), has been hastily arranged to discuss rules of procedures for implementation of the EPA on the margins of the Sixth Summit of EU-Latin America/Caribbean Heads of State and Government.According to the community secretariat, more than 60 leaders of Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean region, are expected to participate in today’s summit, being convened under the theme Towards A New Phase Of The Bi-regional Association – Innovation And Technology For Sustainable Development And Social Inclusion . . . .While progress previously achieved remains a matter of speculation, in the absence of shared information with the public, it is a matter for hope that this promised “new phase” in cooperation “for sustainable development and social inclusion” will produce practical results – beyond official rhetoric.Of immediate concern, however, is how prepared are the CARIFORUM bloc of countries to fully and seriously participate with the EU representatives in sensitive discussions on procedural approaches for the implementation of provisions of the EPA in a meeting slated to last no more than two hours and possibly 90 minutes?The procedural issues involve trade, services and economic development. There have long been doubts over the readiness of the Caribbean to seriously engage Europe in implementation of the EPA. The pertinent question, therefore, is how much progress could reasonably be achieved, without the Caribbean sacrificing fundamental principles, from a rushed inaugural session of the EPA, in less than two hours, as designed by strategists of the European Commission – ahead of the primary purpose of today’s event in Madrid – namely the EU/LAC Summit? Will capitulation to Europe’s agenda be the order of the day because of some EU “funding” involved?In a recent exchange of views on the value of today’s meeting of the EPA Joint Council, the Caribbean economist Dr Norman Girvan had observed that “anyone with the slightest experience in these matters would know that rules of procedures carry power relations within them, steering the participants into certain directions and foreclosing other opinions…”Consequently, a pertinent question arises: How seriously prepared is the CARIFORUM group in their review and analysis of what the European Commission is proposing as procedural approaches for EPA implementation? We must await the results of today’s Joint Council Meeting and the EU/LAC Summit in Madrid.
Meakins, Simpson win squash titles
The two best Barbadian players over the past decade, Karen Meakins and Shawn Simpson, were both pushed hard but ultimately prevailed in their respective finals as the curtain came down on the 36th annual National Squash Championships at the Barbados Squash Club on Saturday. The women’s top seed and Caribbean No. 2, Meakins, duly claimed her tenth straight national squash title by beating reigning Caribbean Under-19 champion Cheri-Ann Parris 11-4, 8-11, 11-2, 11-6 in a pulsating encounter. Both players started a little nervously but the veteran Meakins settled down quicker and, helped by several unforced errors from her powerfully built teenaged opponent, wrapped up the first game swiftly. The second-seeded Parris, however, was not fazed and increased her pace of shot, sucking Meakings into a power-hitting game before pulling away to win that second game to the delight of the spectators, who had never before seen Meakins drop a single game in ten years at the national championships.But Meakins responded in kind, concentrating on placement instead of power and as her length and width improved, the athletic Parris could not dominate the rallies like before. The third game was over in a flash and the fourth game followed the same pattern, as Meakins, visibly relaxed, grew more confident while placing her shots precisely into the corners to win in four games. The men’s final was just as exciting as the top seed and Caribbean No. 3, Shawn Simpson, was pushed to the very brink before holding on for a 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 14-12 victory over Bryant Cumberbatch.After Cumberbatch claimed the first game, Simpson tried to keep the rallies longer and played a bit more conservatively, but the second was always close with no player taking a significant lead until Simpson claimed the final two points to take it 11-9. Cumberbatch then played a loose third game and made quite a few unforced errors allowing Simpson to cruise to his sixth national title.
Teachers urged to take advantage of micro-industry
TEACHERS IN BARBADOS are missing an opportunity to create a micro-industry by exporting their expertise.“We call on teachers, tutors, education officers and the public to join the Ministry of Education and the Media Resource Department to use their talents in the production of indigenous teaching and learning materials,” said acting chief audio-visual officer, C Walter Harper.Harper, speaking last Friday at the launch of a music video Time And Place: Speak Appropriately at the Gordon Corbin Studios, Government Hill, St Michael, said these materials could then be exported to other Caribbean territories, much like how some other countries in the region were already doing.“Our textbooks are written by teachers in Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and I am saying that Barbadian teachers need to get in on the act. We are hoping to create indigenous teaching and learning material and by so doing create a micro industry where we can export some of the best we produce throughout the region.“[To this end], we are forming partnerships with teachers where we pay them to write scripts for radio, television and the Internet. We are also encouraging teachers who have books to publish to contact us so we can have them printed, and in terms of animation, we are encouraging them to take their lessons, put them into powerpoint, and we will assist with the animation,” he said. (CA)
IDB funds to push science, technology
BARBADOS and other Caribbean borrowing states of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will now have access to a wider pool of funds for the promotion of science and technology.The news came with the announcement yesterday by Spain’s Minister of Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia Mendizábal, of a 2 million euro (about BDS$5.6 million) commitment to the IDB’s Knowledge Economy Fund.The announcement coincided with the VI Summit of European Union and Latin American and Caribbean heads of state, which takes place in Madrid today.The summit’s main topic is Bi-regional Cooperation In Innovation And Technology To Foster Sustainable Growth And Social Inclusion.The Knowledge Economy Fund was created in March 2009 and allows contributions from multiple donors. The government of Finland was the first to commit funds in 2009.The fund, under the technical management of the IDB’s Science and Technology Division, provides non-refundable funds for regional and investment projects. Its main goals are:- strengthening the capacity of Caribbean and Latin American countries to develop, acquire and assimilate knowledge and new production practices by teaming up with companies, laboratories, universities and leading experts;- supporting training programmes in areas such as mathematics, science and engineering to foster the creation and use of human capital;- supporting the private sector’s innovation capacity and investment in business networks and key areas of the economy; and- encouraging creative applications of technology to solve social and public services delivery problems. The IDB said Spain’s commitment underlined its acknowledgment of the importance of innovation in development processes.The bank, which is the main source of long term funding for development projects in the Caribbean and Latin America, also said the fund reinforced its role as a key partner in increasing cooperation between Europe and the region in areas such as science, technology and innovation. (IDB/AB)
Barbados getting ready for Chelsea Flower Show
It is that time of the year again for the internationally acclaimed Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show from May 25 to 29.Chelsea is the mecca for all flower, plant lovers, Cacti, and Bonsai lovers; and all manner of languages can be heard during that week from visitors all over the world.Barbados started to exhibit at the show in 1988 and has continued to do so every year, winning many Gold and Silver Gilt medals. After Barbados started to exhibit other islands from the Caribbean began exhibiting, and also did very well. The flowers and foliage for this island’s display will come from 25 to 30 different people throughout the island who bring their blooms today to the Barbados Horticultural Society to be cleaned and prepared for their journey to the Chelsea Flower Show. Wednesday is the big day when the volunteer helpers – about 25 people – carefully pack all the flowers and foliage into cardboard boxes, having passed the quarantine tests here, to be shipped as cargo at the Grantley Adams International Airport.Arthur Atkinson has helped design the Barbados exhibit this year and has also painted the backdrop that will cover the wall behind the exhibit in the marquee. The theme is Sugar Factory Ruins Reclaimed and will show an old barrel – used for molasses for making rum – bits of rusty equipment, such as an old wheel, metal pipes and some vines, all keeping to a colour scheme of rich browns, oranges and dark reds – the sort of colours you would see in an old ruin. Barbados’ representation at this very prestigious flower show, which promotes, the island, is undertaken thanks to the help of a number of sponsors such as the Barbados Tourism Authority, British Airways, Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association, other corporate supporters and the flower growers of Barbados. (PR)
Fishing for knowledge
FOURTH form students from the integrated science department of the Garrison Secondary School were taken on an informative fishing expedition by fishermen Chelston Thomas and David Boyce yesterday.The two fishermen, who both have more than 25 years experience, gave the enthusiastic students an extensive lesson about the life of fishermen, how they catch different types of fish and what tools they use in their trade.Linda-Joy Forde, head of the Science Department at the school, explained that the students were required to know about the fishing industry because it was part of the new syllabus.She said the two fishermen had readily consented to share their wealth of knowledge with the students.Thomas is the father of former student Caroline Scantlebury, who was also on hand assisting him and demonstrating the fishing equipment to the students.The students were shown the different nets used for fishing, fishing rods, safety equipment, and how to cast a net.Thomas and Boyce also thrilled the students with stories of their encounters at sea. (MB)
Cavs leapfrog into second spot
by Justin MarvilleTHEY MAY SHARE Cleveland’s name but these Cavaliers’ title hopes are definitely still aliveCorey Williams and Kevin Sealy combined to score all but two of Mpact Station Hill Cavalier’s baskets in overtime as Premier League basketball’s reigning double-crowned champs survived a 29-point outing from Corey McDonald before outlasting First Works Warriors in Sunday’s 86-81 thriller at the YMCA.Just days after their NBA counterparts were knocked out of the post-season, the resurgent Cavs improved their standing in the tight play-off race by winning a fifth straight game to leapfrog both Warriors and an idle Pinelands for second place.But the possibility of recovering to a 7-2 mark looked highly unlikely when Station Hill lost their season opener to the lowly Cougars, while dropping two of the first four contests of the year.And they very nearly dropped a third after squandering an 11-point third-quarter lead (52-41) that came on the heels of Williams’ brief spurt from behind the arc.Those efforts, and the subsequent lead, were all laid to waste, as the torrid McDonald found perfect foils in Andre Pierre and Kirk Shaw to cut the deficit to one (61-60) early in the fourth.That initial rally was cut short following four successive points from Kelvin Patterson, before rookie swingman Darren Hunte added a pair of backdoor lay-ups that sandwiched a Junior Moore jumper, to restore a Cavs’ 74-67 cushion with 1:45 remaining.But Warriors weren’t done just yet, as Kevin John rattled off 11 of their last 14 points, prior to McDonald’s dramatic game-tying three-pointer, that locked the scores at 74 in the dying moments.Station Hill still had one last chance to win outright in regulation, but McDonald’s stifling defence on an over-dribbling Patterson prevented them from even getting off a last-second shot.However, what the Cavs couldn’t do in the last 20 seconds of regulation, they did in the first 30 of overtime.Before Warriors could even settle, the champs had four quick points to start the extra period, behind a pair of well-executed backdoor cuts in succession from Patterson and Sealy.Seasoned veteran Andrew Alleyne then increased the lead via a subsequent basket and Williams punched the seams of Warriors defence for a driving lay-up to give Station Hill a comfortable 82-76 inside the final minute.However, Warriors were nearly given another reprieve after McDonald goaded opposite number Jason Smith into fouling him on an ensuing three-point attempt.But the former MVP missed two of the subsequent free throw attempts, while Sealy scored an uncontested basket to provide the final margin. Patterson finished with a double-double of 18 points and ten boards, Williams scored 14 and Alleyne netted 11. For Warriors, Pierre and John had 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Shaw scored 12.The night’s second game between Act II Popcorn Clapham Bulls and Roll-A-Way St John’s Sonics was postponed after rain interrupted the team’s warm-up before tip-off.